Dana Point, California) – Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, California, one of the country’s largest numismatic dealerships, has created a new division for retail sales, Rare Coin Consultants of America. Former American Numismatic Association Executive Director, Christopher Cipoletti, has been named President of the subsidiary.

“Our company had more than $100 million in rare coin sales the past two years, and over 90 percent of those transactions were wholesale to other dealers. Our new division will focus on new markets and customers who are private collectors or people looking for alternative investment opportunities,” said Steven L. Contursi, President of Rare Coin Wholesalers.

“Chris Cipoletti is the ideal person to oversee Rare Coin Consultants of America. He’s knowledgeable about the numismatic marketplace; he’s a strategic, visionary thinker; entrepreneur and motivator.”

The new division will have a strong presence at financial services and investment trade shows.

“We’ll be working with financial planners and investment advisors as well as individuals. There are many people who are interested in collecting, such as fine art, but are not yet comfortable with their knowledge of numismatics. These are people who are looking for a strong investment vehicle that is fascinating to own while it produces returns,” said Cipoletti.

In addition to serving as ANA Executive Director for almost five years, Cipoletti is an accomplished attorney who received his Juris Doctor degree from Notre Dame Law School in 1986; created and presented leadership development and training seminars; is an active leader in many non-profit and civic organizations; and even owned and rejuvenated a Colorado inn and 150-seat restaurant. (more…)

The 1932-D Washington Quarter. MS-66 (PCGS).(Lot 322) has sold in the Bowers and Merena April 2008 Chicago Rarities Sale Session One yesterday for the amount of $143,750. That is a record for any Washington quarter.

Details on this and other highlights from the sale will be posted shortly.

Below is the auction Lot description from the B&M catalog:

“The 1932-D is unique as a Denver Mint Quarter struck during the four-year period from 1930 to 1933. It is also the premier D-mint delivery in the Washington Quarter series, which confirms its historical significance in the 20th century U.S. coinage family. That the 1932-D is also a low-mintage issue with just 436,800 pieces produced has been well known in numismatic circles for decades. On the other hand, that particular fact seems to have been lost on the contemporary public.

One would think that the 1932-D would now be readily obtainable in Mint State due to its first-year status. After all, the contemporary public usually saves large numbers of first-year coins as novelty items, such activity explaining the relative availability of even many low-mintage issues. (An excellent example is the 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln Cent, Mint State examples of which really do abound in numismatic circles despite a delivery of just 484,000 pieces.) This did not happen in the case of the 1932-D Quarter, however, and anyone interested in setting aside an example of the new type was content to focus on the 1932 or, to a much lesser extent, the 1932-S. This explains why the 1932-D is the prime condition rarity in the entire business strike Washington Quarter series of 1932-date. (more…)

Kelley Norwine to Head; Debbie Rexing Named VP Marketing

DALLAS, TEXAS: Heritage Auction Galleries, The World’s Largest Collectibles auctioneer specializing in Rare Coins and Currency, is announcing the formation of a new division - Media and Client Relations - and along with it two important promotions.

Heritage is happy to announce that Kelley Norwine, currently Vice President of Marketing, will become the new Vice-President of Media and Client Relations. In addition to increasing awareness of Heritage through various media outlets, Kelley will also focus on Client Relations both internally and externally, identify areas where improvement is needed and provide high level strategy.

“Basically,” says Kelley, “we will be taking a more global look at all aspects of the Heritage business.”

In addition, Kelley will also work with senior management to investigate, address and resolve higher customer service issues. Kelley has a highly diversified background that includes a major in Business Management and a minor in Music Education and extensive experience in advertising, marketing and public relations. While in Los Angeles, Kelley became the Regional Manager and Client Services Director for NAS-McCann WorldGroup, an International Advertising & Communications Agency where she was responsible for running one of the largest offices in the country.

Heritage is also pleased to announce the appointment of Debbie Rexing as the new Vice President of Marketing. Debbie’s impressive credentials include degrees in Business Administration in Marketing and Human Resource Management from The Ohio State University as well as sales and marketing/ brand development experience for Kraft General Foods and Proctor and Gamble. During her six-and-a-half years at Heritage, Debbie has worked in numerous functions with the company, such as photography, the auction department, and the marketing and handling of U.S. Coins, World Coins, Currency, Music & Entertainment, Vintage Movie Posters, Americana, and U.S. Tangibles Inc. Debbie’s experience in many aspects of the business from the ground floor up helps her bring a universal prospective as Heritage strives to gain more market share in both the established brands and newly entered categories.
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The Abbey of Klosterneuburg

When one travels down the Danube, whether by river or by land, just before reaching Vienna one encounters the town of Klosterneuburg nestling around the ancient abbey on the heights overlooking the Danube Valley. Since the year 1114 canons regular have been living here according to the Rule of St. Augustine. This abbey is the fifth coin in the Austrian Mint’s silver series “Great Abbeys of Austria” and will be issued on 16th April, 2008.

The Augustinian abbey of Klosterneuburg was founded in 1114 by Margrave Leopold III (who was subsequently canonised and ranks as the patron saint of Austria). The famous legend is that Leopold’s wife, Agnes, lost a precious scarf in the wind which Leopold himself found some years later while hunting. A vision of the Virgin Mary is supposed to have instructed him to found an abbey on that spot. The legend is, of course, romance, although the scarf does still exist in actual fact. St. Leopold is buried in the crypt of the church under the winged altar known as the Verduner Altar, consisting of some 45 gilded and enamelled panels with scenes from the Bible and dating from the end of the 12th century.

The abbey almost died out in the time of the Reformation, but was restored and invigorated by Provost Caspar Christiani (1578-1584). In 1683 Turkish troops besieging Vienna also attacked Klosterneuburg, but Provost William Lebsaft together with the canons and townspeople managed to repulse them without outside assistance.
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